Material feeding guide system for industrial sewing machinery

ABSTRACT

Two open fluid systems are utilized as feeding guides for a sewing machine. In the first system a compressed air conduit is pivotally mounted within the cover of the sewing machine and assumes an operative position wherein an outlet orifice is positioned in front of a pair of horizontal feeding discs. A stream of air is forced through the outlet orifice toward a seam line of strips of material having a plurality of furlike strands which are being steamed together as they are fed between the discs. The second open fluid system includes a vacuum nozzle positioned beneath and spaced from the discs and any loose strands are collected by the nozzle. To rotate the conduit from operative to idle positions, a take off linkage is driven by an existing foot pedal control of the sewing machine and transmits axial movement to a sleeve cam mounted on the conduit within the sewing machine. The cam co-acts with a stationary pin follower and rotates the conduit. In its operative position, the cam abuts a switch which activates a vacuum and compressed air supply for the systems. An idle track is provided in the cam whereby the conduit will remain in an idle position while the foot pedal is moved. A mechanical inverted &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;U&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; shaped guide is positioned adjacent the outlet orifice to assist in the feeding of the strips of material.

United States Patent Shulman et al.

[451 May 23, 1972 [54] MATERIAL FEEDING GUIDE SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINERY [72] Inventors: Arthur Shulman, New York; Henry M.

Bonis, Jr., Sands Point, both of NY.

[73] Assignee: Nabs Leasing Corp., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 119,573

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 842,187, July l6,

1969, Pat. No. 3,570,425.

1/1970 Marforio 3,489,l l2 3/1971 Shulman et al. ..l12/20 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Att0meyJefirey A. Schwab 7] p ABSTRACT Two open fluid systems are utilized as feeding guides for a sewing machine. In the first system a compressed air conduit is pivotally mounted within the cover of the sewing machine and assumes an operative position wherein an outlet orifice is positioned in front of a pair of horizontal feeding discs. A stream of air is forced through the outlet orifice toward a seam line of strips of material having a plurality of furlike strands which are being steamed together as they are fed between the discs. The second open fluid system includes a vacuum nozzle positioned beneath and spaced from the discs and any loose strands are collected by the nozzle. To rotate the conduit from operative to idle positions, a take of! linkage is driven by an existing foot pedal control of the sewing machine and transmits axial movement to a sleeve cam mounted on the conduit within the sewing machine. The cam co-acts with a stationary pin follower and rotates the conduit. In its operative position, the cam abuts a switch which activates a vacuum and compressed air supply for the systems. An idle track is provided in the cam whereby the conduit will remain in an idle position while the foot pedal is moved. A mechanical inverted U shaped guide is positioned adjacent the outlet orifice to assist in the feeding of the strips of material.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHM 23 I972 3, 664,281

SHEET 1 OF 2 I '-"a: :11 JEN 4 V' 28 62 ARTHUR SHULMAN HENRY M NIS Jr. FIG. 4 BY A TORNEY FATENTEDMAY 23 I972 SHEEI 2 OF 2 INVENTORS ARTHUR SHULMAN HENRY M. BONlS,Jr.

ATTORNEY MATERIAL FEEDING GUIDE SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINERY RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of our previous application, Ser. No. 842,187 filed July 16, 1969 and now US. Pat. No. 3,570,425, dated Mar. 16, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Sewing machine stock material feeding guides including open fluid systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art There has long existed a need in the fur industry for an aid in the sewing of fur skins, especially those having relatively long strands such as mink. The most predominantly used fur sewing machine is best illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,132,379 issued Oct. 1 l, 1938 to C. Bonis.

The Bonis machine generally provides a pair of discs lying in a horizontal plane, one of which is a driving disc and the other of which is an idler disc. Adjacent edges of strips of fur skins, pelts or other material having a plurality of furlike strands are fed between the discs. A reciprocating horizontal needle moves in a plane above the discs and an oscillating looper loops the sewing thread to complete the stitches. The skill and care required by an operator, and the training time necessary in order to gain proficiency with these machines is such that it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain competent operators of such machinery.

Aside from the slow and tedious period of training, the actual working, even by a skilled technician is relatively slow. Constant orientation of the fur along the desired seam line must be maintained, or an unsightly seam will result. This in turn has a marked effect upon the value of the finished product which is especially detrimental in an industry where the raw material, i.e. furs, is a relatively expensive commodity.

In addition to the above difficulties, the nature of the fur themselves creates problems of health, cleanliness and safety. Shedding of the fur strands is common and at the end of a work day it is not unusual to find an operators hands and clothes covered with fur and an accumulation of fur about the sewing equipment and work station.

This shedded fur is further considered a waste product and is swept away or otherwise disposed of.

The fur industry has not been completely unmindful of this problem and for many years attempts have been made to introduce equipment, methods or techniques, to alleviate some of the above problems, but none of these attempts have found acceptance in the industry. Some prior workers have suggested mechanical guide means either integral to the sewing equipment or as a supplement at the work station to guide the fur sections into proper alignment for sewing. Some have suggested air actuated systems to blow the fur hairs or strands away from the seam line and another has suggested a vacuum arrangement for fur orientation. None of the foregoing have provided the solution to this long existing need.

The guides, while somewhat helpful, were readily distorted in use and required constant repair. Air actuating systems heretofore suggested were bulky and were so constructed-as to adversely affect an operator's line of sight. In addition, such a system added rather than detracted to the problem of shedding fur, since the air stream loosened and spread the fur. On the other hand, vacuum systems providing a vacuum along an axial line to the proposed seam line were undesirable. Vacuum orientation is generally undesirable due to the drag" imposed upon the fur pieces which in turn may provide an unevenness in the feeding of the fur to the sewing section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described which is so constructed that it is not subject to any of the foregoing disadvantages.

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment of the general character described which greatly reduces the manual dexterity required to operate the present industrial sewing machines.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment of the general character described which is readily integratable with existing equipment and not only aligns strips of stock material having a plurality of fur like strands for the sewing of seams, but assures that no strands will be inadvertently caught in a seam.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described which is useful in the sewing of strips of fur likematerial and relieves the operator of the burden of constantly orienting the adjoining strips forming a seam while additionally providing a vacuum system so positioned as to receive and collect any loose strands which fall from the material, yet minimizes the possibility of the material dragging while it is being fed into the sewing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine attachment which includes an open fluid system having means directing a stream of air upon adjacent surfaces of strips of material having fur like strands along the line of feed of a sewing machine so as to orient the strands away from the seam line, thereby eliminating the necessity of an operato manually tucking strands away from the seam line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described wherein a moveable air delivery conduit directs a stream of air at adjacent surfaces of strips of fur like material in the line of feed of a sewing machine and which includes an operator actuated linkage for moving the air delivery conduit to operative and inoperative positions. I

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described which includes an air delivery conduit for directing a stream of air at adjacent surfaces of strips of fur like material in the line of feed of a sewing machine and wherein the air delivery conduit carries at its end, a mechanical guide which aligns adjacent strips of material for proper orientation in the sewing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described which is directly integratable with existing sewing machinery equipment and which can be constructed in such a compatible manner that the visible structure of a machine including the attachment of the present invention deviates only to a minor degree from that of existing equipment whereby the modified machine is more readily employable by operators trained on existing equipment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described which provides an open fluid system including a vacuum device to collect and gather loose strands from strips of furlike material which are being fed into the sewing machine along a line of feed and with the vacuum device including a suction nozzle spaced below the strips of material and in a plane distant from a vertical plane passing through the line of feed to thereby minimize the possibility of the vacuum at the suction nozzle dragging the material while it is being fed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine attachment of the general character described which includes a moveable air delivery conduit which is actuatable through the employment of an existing sewing machine foot control.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as set forth in the sewing machine attachment hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one of the various possible embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine employing an attachment constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention with the sewing machine mounted on a table support and with an air feed hose extending upwardly beneath the sewing machine and forming a supply line for an open fluid guide system forming a part of the attachment and with a vacuum nozzle extending upwardly from beneath the table being positioned beneath and toward one side of feeding discs on the machine, the vacuum nozzle forming a part of a second open fluid guide system;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a cover portion of the sewing machine with portions broken away for clarity and showing a conduit rotatably mounted within a cover and with alternate positions of the conduit illustrated in dashed and double dot and dash lines respectively;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. I and through the sewing machine cover to illustrate a mechanical linkage which rotates the conduit in response to movement of a foot pedal;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the cover with a portion broken away to better illustrate a sleeve mounted on a portion of the conduit extending through the cover and also illustrating a forked linkage which actuates the sleeve cam;

FIG. 5 is an auxiliary view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3 and illustrating a clevis forming a pan of the linkage;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 wherein the linkage, sleeve cam and conduit are in idle positions;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4 and through a portion of the conduit and the sleeve cam and showing a track formed in the sleeve cam and engaged by a pin extending through the conduit to thereby permit limited axial movement of the sleeve cam along the conduit while precluding rotation about the conduit;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view through the sleeve cam and the conduit, the same being taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the sewing machine table support with portions broken away for clarity and illustrating a compressor device feeding the fluid systems along with a foot pedal actuated linkage which drives the forked linkage; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary auxiliary view taken substantially along the line I0 10 of FIG. 2 and illustrating a stock material feeding guide mounted on the conduit adjacent an outlet orifice formed at the end of the conduit and additionally showing strips of stock material having a plurality of furlike strands which are being deflected downwardly by a stream of air issuing from the outlet orifice; the stock material is also being guided by an inverted U" shaped plate forming the guide for proper orientation with respect to the horizontal discs of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The material feeding guide attachment of the present invention utilizes two open fluid systems, in one of which a stream of air is directed toward adjacent edges of stock material being sewn together to force the fur like strands of the material away from the seam line, thus facilitating proper seaming. A second fluid system provides a vacuum nozzle located beneath and spaced from a feed line of the material, i.e. the axis along which the adjacent edges are fed, to thereby eliminate any drag which would inhibit the feeding of a stock material through the machine.

A third guide associated with the attachment is a mechanical guide positioned above the line of feed which assures that the stock material is properly oriented for feeding by horizontal feeding discs carried by the sewing machine.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral-lO denotes a typical industrial fur sewing machine. The details of operation and construction of the Bonis machine are well-known to those familiar with the art, and the same will only be referred to herein as it is pertinent to the present invention which includes an attachment providing fluid systems and a mechanical guide plate for stock material feeding.

The sewing machine 10 is secured to a work table 12 and driven by a motor (not shown) mounted beneath the work table 12 and drivingly engaging the machine 10 through a belt. The sewing machine 10 further includes a pair of horizontal feeding discs 14, 16 with the disc 14 being intermittently rotated in a counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 1) direction to feed stock material, as will be subsequently described. The disc 16 is an idler disc and is rotatably mounted on a vertical spindle which in turn is secured in a moveable carrier 18.

As shown in FIG. 1 the discs 14, 16 are in operative position and would drivingly engage adjacent edges of strips of stock material positioned therebetween so that when the machine is operating,the disc 14 will feed the material past a sewing needle 20. The carrier 18 may be moved to a machine load position wherein it extends outwardly from the front of the machine a distance greater than that shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the disc 16 is spaced away from the disc 14 to thereby permit insertion of the stock material. A linkage within the machine causes the carrier to move to its machine load position when actuated by a foot pedal 22 beneath the work table. When the pedal is rotated to a heel down position (dot and dash lines of FIG. 9) a member 24 is pulled downwardly through an opening in the work table actuating the linkage moving the carrier to its machine load position.

The needle 20 is positioned within a horizontal plane slightly above the upper edges of the discs 14, 16 and a mechanism provides a reciprocal movement for the needle in a line perpendicular to the line of feed. A stationary needle guide 26 is secured to the'spindle to which the disc 16 is rotatably joumalled.

Operation of the sewing machine without the material feeding guide system of the present invention involves manually feeding two inverted stock material strips (with the furlike strands generally pointing downward) between the discs 14, 16 and additionally utilizing thumb manipulation to assure that the furlike strands do not project upward to thereby be entangled in the seam.

In accordance with the invention, the sewing machine 10 includes a modified cover 28 which is hingedly secured to a rear wall of the machine as by conventional hinges 30. The cover 28 is installed on existing machines in lieu of the present covers and provides within it a portion of the necessary mechanism for operating a first open fluid system. Optionally, the machines may be initially sold to include the present invention.

The first open fluid system includes an air delivery conduit 32 which is joumalled for rotation within registered openings in parallel front and rear walls of the cover 28. The conduit 32 is formed of hollow tubing having an inlet orifice 34 at one end thereof and an outlet orifice 36 at the other end. The inlet orifice is positioned rearwardly of the back wall of the cover 28 and the conduit extends through the cover 28 along a straight axial line perpendicularly oriented to the front and back walls .of the cover. In order to captively retain the conduit 32 within the cover 28, yet permit rotation of the conduit relative to the cover, two collars 38, 40 are provided within the cover 28 and adjacent the openings through which the conduit passes in the rear and front walls respectively thereof. Each collar is annular in configuration and is secured to the conduit adjacent its respective cover wall as by a set screw 42.

The portion of the conduit 32 projecting from the front wall of the cover 28 extends first forwardly from the cover and then is bent to lie in a vertical plane parallel to the front wall of the cover 28. The bent portion includes an upwardly directed arcuate portion 44 and a substantially straight terminal portion 46 (see FIG. 2). The straight portion 46 terminates with the outlet orifice 36 and is shown in operative position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 wherein the straight portion 46 lies along a vertical axis and in a plane extending between the discs which vertical plane lies perpendicular to a line joining the centers of the discs. In such operative position the outlet orifice 36 is at an elevation slightly above the feeding discs 14, 16.

It will be observed that when the conduit 32 is in its operative position with the straight portion 46 in front of and in alignment with the horizontal feedings discs 14, 16, insertion of strips of stock material between the discs would be hampered by the straight portion. For this reason, the attachment system includes means whereby the straight portion 46 of the conduit will be lifted away from and out of the line of sight of the operator to permit initial insertion of the stock material between the feeding discs.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 through 8, the means moving the straight portion 36 of the conduit 32 includes a sleeve cam 48 which is mounted on the portion of the conduit 32 extending within the cover 28 and is axially slidabl e therealong. The sleeve cam 48 includes a major forward portion 50 of cylindrical outer configuration. The major portion 50 includes a camming groove 52 which extends on the outer periphery of the portion 50 and is angularly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve cam 48. The camming groove 52 commences at a point adjacent the rearward edge of the major portion 50 and extends to an intermediate cam track 54 which runs along the periphery of the major portion 50 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve cam 48.

Rearwardly of the major portion 50, the sleeve cam 48 includes a cylindrical portion 56 of reduced diameter which terminates with an enlarged shoulder 58. The outer diameter of the shoulder 58 is approximately the same as the diameter of the major portion of the sleeve cam.

The sleeve cam is designed to slide along the conduit 32 and such sliding motion of the sleeve cam 48 is effected through a pair of parallel legs 60 forming a part of a linkage to be later described. The linkage is utilized to effect movement of the sleeve cam 48 from a conduit operative position wherein the sleeve cam is indicated in solid lines in FIG. 3 to a machine load position indicated in the dashed lines and thence back again to the operative position.

A substantially cylindrical pin follower 62 projects from a side wall of the cover 28 and the portion of the follower 62 adjacent the tip thereof is seated within the groove 52 as illustrated in FIG. 4. When the sleeve cam 48 is moved fromthe position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the dashed line position of FIG. 3, the interaction between the stationary pin follower and the camming groove 52 causes the cam 48 to rotate about the conduit 32 an arc of approximately 45. This rotation of the sleeve cam 48 also causes the conduit 32 to rotate, thus lifting the straight portion 46 of the conduit to its machine load position.

In order to permit the conduit 32 to rotate with the sleeve cam 48 yet allow the sleeve cam 48 to slide along the conduit, a channel 64 is formed within the bore of the sleeve cam 48 and extends within the major portion 50 terminating short of the cylindrical portion 56.

A pin 66 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) is force fitted through diametrically opposed openings in the conduit 32 but-the length of the pin 66 is greater than the outer diameter of the conduit 32 so that a portion of the pin extends into the channel 64 forming a protuberance.

It will be observed that with the pin 66 seated in the channel 64 the sleeve cam 48 may slide along the longitudinal axis of the conduit 32 and when the sleeve cam is rotated, the side walls of the channel 64 engage the pin 66 and cause the conduit to correspondingly rotate in unison therewith.

Attention is now directed to a forked linkage which causes the legs 60 to move, thereby actuating the sleeve cam. It should be initially noted that the legs 60 are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the major portion 50 and shoulder 58 and the inner faces engage the cylindrical portion 56. As was previously mentioned, the linkage is in fact actuated by the existing foot pedal 22 and is driven by a first rod 68 (see FIG. 9) pivotally connected to the forward or toe end of the pedal 22. The rod 68 may be formed of two short rods which are clamped together, as by a clamp 69 so that the effective length may be adjustably varied to suit the requirements of an individual operator. The rod 68 extends upwardly and toward the rear of the table 12 to terminate in a pivotal connection wherein a generally horizontal lever arm 70 is found. The lever arm 70 rocks about a pivot 72 projecting downwardly from the undersurface of the table 12 and the distal end of the arm 70 pulls the member 24 downwardly to move the carrier 18 to a load position when the foot pedal 22 is in a heel down position.

The pivotal connection joining the rod 68 and the lever arm 70 also interconnects a transmission rod 74 which extends upwardly behind the table 12. The upper end of the transmission rod 74 terminates at a yoke of a clevis 76 (see FIG. 5). The clevis 76 forks to include parallel opposed reaches 78 which are spaced apart a distance'to accommodate the conduit 32 therebetween.

Registered pins 80 extend through each of the reaches 78 and are secured to the reaches 78 with portions of each pin extending beyond the inner wall of each reach. The extending portions of the pins 80 are journalled within an opening adjacent the ends of an L-shaped bracket 82 which forms a further portion of the forked linkage.

Two L-shaped brackets 82 are provided and are spaced from one another in parallel relationship by a pair of spacers 84. It will be observed that the legs 60 are, in fact, an integral part of each L-shaped bracket 82. Therefore, the spacers 84 are of a length less than the diameter of the major portion 50 as well as the shoulder 58.

A boss 86 projects from the upper surface of the cover 28 and between the legs '60. The legs 60 extend downwardly through slots 88 formed in the top of the cover 28 on both sides of the boss 86. A pin 90 extends through a bore in the boss 86 and through corresponding openings at the juncture of each leg 60 and the remainder of its associated bracket 82 so that-the brackets 82 are pivotally mounted on the cover 28. The ends of the pin 90 are suitably peened for captive retention.

From an observation of FIGS. 3 and 9 it will be seen that with the foot pedal 22 in a substantially horizontal plane (operative position) the discs l4, 16 are in operative position to feed stock material through the sewing machine; furthermore, the sleeve cam 48 and conduit 32 are in operative position.

If strips of stock material are to be inserted between the discs 14, 16, the foot pedal 22 is rotated to a heel down position whereupon the rod 68 moves upwardly, rotating the lever arm 70 about the pivot 72, thereby bringing the member 24 downwardly causing the carrier 18 to move. Simultaneously, the intermediate rod 74 is urged upwardly, causing the L- brackets 82 to rotate about the boss 86 in a counterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 3) direction. When the brackets 82 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the tips of the leg 60 engage the shoulder 58 and urge the sleeve cam 48 rearwardly, (towards the rear wall of the cover 28) causing the cam 48 and the conduit to rotate to a machine load position i.e. dashed lines in FIG. 2.

Conversely, when the L-brackets 82 are urged in a clockwise direction (by urging the foot pedal toe downward) the forward edges of the tips of the legs 60 engage a shoulder formed at the juncture of the major portion 50 and the cylindrical portion 56 to thereby urge the sleeve cam 48 forwardly and the conduit 32 into its operative position, i.e. solid lines in FIG. 2. Simultaneously, the member 24 is permitted to recede, thus moving the carrier 18 to operative position.

Referring now to FIG. 4 wherein the sleeve cam 48 is shown in its forward (operative) position, it will be observed that an electrical switch 92 projects from the side wall of the cover 28 and is engaged by the forward end of the sleeve cam 48. This switch actuates a motor driven blower 94 mounted beneath the work table 12. The blower 94 is preferably a centrifugal blower, although any commercially available blower or compressor is suitable.

A hose 96 extending upwardly from the blower 94 from an outlet orifice thereof is rotatably coupled to the conduit 32 adjacent the intake end 34 thereof.

The couple between the hose 96 and the conduit 32 (see FIG. 3) includes a pair of annular spaced collars 98 secured to the conduit adjacent the intake end 34. An annular bearing 100 is nestably received on the conduit 32 between the collars 98 and the bearing 100 and is joumalled for rotation about the conduit 32. The clearance between the bearing 100 and the conduit 32 is such that rotation of the bearing is permitted without appreciable leakage of air. The hose 96 is joined to the bearing 100 adjacent the hose end by a spring clip 102 which seats itself in a groove 104 peripherally formed in the bearing 100.

Attention is now directed to a vacuum nozzle 106 forming a portion of a second open fluid guide system. The nozzle 106 is mounted on the table 12 in front of the machine and its open intake orifice is of narrow elongate configuration. The nozzle 106 is spaced beneath a horizontal plane in which the feeding disc l4, l6 lie and its intake orifice is additionally spaced from a plane extending between the discs 12, 14 and perpendicular to a line joining the centers of the discs. It should also be noted that the intake orifice is additionally spaced from a vertical plane within which the line of feed passes. Such positioning of the vacuum nozzle assures that the stock material being fed into the sewing machine will not be caught or dragged by inrushing air at the intake orifice to thereby impede feeding of the material.

It will be appreciated that loose strands of the stock material which have separated from the material will fall downwardly from the plane of the discs 14, 16 urged both by gravity and the stream of air from the outlet orifice 36. These strands will be caught by the inrushing air at the vacuum nozzle 106 and enter the nozzle.

The second open fluid system also includes a vacuum hose 108 interconnecting the vacuum nozzle 106 to an intake orifice of the blower 94. As illustrated in the broken away portion of the blower 94 (see FIG. 9), a porous filter receptacle 110 is provided between the intake orifice and the outlet orifice of the blower. The strands of the furlike material which enter the vacuum nozzle 106 pass through the vacuum hose 108 and are collected in the receptacle 110.

If an operator desires to sew together strips of material which do not include a plurality of furlike strands, the invention includes means whereby the straight portion 46 of the conduit 32 can be moved to an idle position andthe foot pedal 22 can be operated in the normal manner to actuate the carrier 18 thereby permitting insertion and removal of the stock material without movement of the conduit 32.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 wherein in double dot and dash lines the conduit 32 is shown in the idle position (wherein the conduit has rotated approximately 90 from its operable vertical position). Also illustrated in FIG. 2, in the broken away portion thereof, is a detent leaf spring 1 12 which is mounted to a side wall of the cover 28 and the free end thereof abuts a biasing pin 114 which may be adjusted by turning a set screw 116. The leaf detent spring 112 includes a transverse V-ridge 118 which, when the conduit is in its operative (vertical) and machine load (45 angle) positions, rests on the outer periphery of the collar 40.

The idle position of the sleeve cam 48 is shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the pin follower 62 is adjacent the forwardmost portion of the groove 52. It should also be noted however that the pin follower 62 is positioned in the intermediate track 54, and at a point distant from the groove 52. In order to rotate the cam 48 so that the pin follower lies in the intermediate track 54, the bent portion of the conduit 38 is rotated manually in a clockwise direction from the dashed line position of FIG. 2 to the double dot and dash line (substantially horizontal position). This may only be accomplished when the pin follower is at the forward end of the groove 52.

A V-notch 120 is formed in the collar 40 and when the conduit is rotated to the idle (double dot and dash lines) position, the V-ridge of the detent leaf spring 112 engages the V-notch to thereby preclude inadvertent reverse (counterclockwise) rotation of the conduit and further assure that the pin follower 62 is at the portion of the intermediate track 54 most distant from the groove 52.

It should be noted that an idle track 122 is formed in the major portion 50 of the sleeve cam 48 and extends from the last mentioned portion of the intermediate track rearwardly toward the cylindrical portion 56. This idle track 122 lies in aline parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

Once the conduit is rotated to the idle position, the pin follower 62 will lie substantially within the idle track 122 and longitudinal movement of the cam follower along the conduit 32 will not result in rotational movement of the cam; thus the conduit 32 will remain in its idle position.

The foot pedal 22 may thus be operated in its normal capacity to be utilized to move the carrier without effecting movement of the conduit 32 when stock material which does not include furlike strands is sewn.

A third guide system included with the attachment is a supplemental material feeding guide secured to and carried by the straight portion 46 of the conduit 32. This guide includes a plate l24 whic h is suspended beneath the outlet orifice of the conduit 32 and is shaped in the manner of an inverted U with a pair of legs interconnected by a bight. The free ends of the legs of the inverted U plate are flared outwardly to lie substantially in a horizontal plane.

In order to suspend the plate 124 beneath the conduit 32, a clamp 126 is formed on the straight portion 46 adjacent the outlet orifice 36 and a threaded shank 128 extends vertically from the plate 124 through a bore in the clamp 126. Positioned atop the clamp 126 is a knurled collar which threadingly engages the shank. To adjust the elevation of the 7 plate 124, the collar is rotated. During rotation of the collar, the shank is prevented from rotating by a set screw 130 which abuts a longitudinal planar plateau 129 in the shank; Once the proper elevation is achieved, the plate 124 is locked by tightening the set screw 130. A helical coil spring 131 is biased between the clamp 126 and the plate 124 as a lost motion take up to assure precise adjustment.

The operation of the first open fluid system in stock material guidance is clearly shown'in FIG. 10 wherein adjacent strips of stock material 132 are shown endwise being fed into the sewing machine, a stream of air issuing from the outlet orifice 36 blows any strands 134 downwardly and away from the seam line while the plate 124 curves and guides the backing surface of the material for acceptance between the feeding discs 14, 16 and subsequent sewing of a seam.

It should be additionally noted that the provision of the pins 80 which connect the L-brackets 82 and the clevis 76 facilitate rapid separation of the L-brackets and the clevis.

Such disassembly may be effected by merely pulling apart the 7 reaches 78 adjacent the pins whereby the portion of the pins 80 extending into the openings in the L-brackets will be unseated. With this pivotal connection broken, the cover 28 may be easily lifted and rotated about the hinges 30 so that access to the machine 10 may be gained for normal maintenance and repair, e.g. lubrication, adjustments, etc.

Thus, it will be seen that there is provided a sewing machine attachment which achieves the various objects of the invention and which is well suited to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the present invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. An attachment for use with a sewing machine adapted to sew together strips of material having a plurality of furlike strands, the sewing machine having a pair of feedings discs, the feeding discs lying in a horizontal plane, a sewing needle, means reciprocally moving the sewing needle along a horizontal axis, the strips of material being fed along a line of feed between the feeding discs and past the reciprocating needle, said attachment including conduit means, means forming an outlet orifice in the conduit means, means providing a stream of air through the conduit means, the stream of air passing through the outlet orifice, contacting the furlike strands of adjacent strips of material at the line of feed and forcing the strands away from the sewing needle, means joumalling the conduit means for rotation along a horizontal axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of the needle, the conduit means being operatively positioned such that the delivery orifice is disposed adjacent the line of feed of the material strips and forwardly of a vertical plane which includes the axis of the needle and means slectively rotating the conduit means from the operative position to a loading position wherein the outlet orifice is spaced from the line of feed, the rotating means including a sleeve cam positioned on the conduit means, the sleeve cam being slidable axially along the conduit means and means engaging the sleeve cam whereby the machine may be easily loaded yet the material strips may be seamed together without the necessity of manually deflecting the furlike strands from the line of feed.

2. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein a follower is included, the follower engaging the sleeve and means maintaining the follower in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the conduit means.

3. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein means is provided to prevent rotation of the sleeve cam relative to the conduit means.

4. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein the means preventing rotation of the sleeve cam relative to the conduit includes a protuberance extending radially from the axis of the conduit and a cooperating channel formed within the sleeve cam and extending along an axis parallel to the conduit axis, the protuberance being seated within the channel whereby the sleeve cam may be moved axially along the conduit but when the sleeve cam is rotated, the channel engages the protuberance to cause corresponding rotation of the conduit.

5. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein the sleeve cam includes a groove, the groove extending along the periphery of the sleeve cam and being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conduit, the follower engaging the groove, whereby lateral displacement of the sleeve cam with respect to the follower will rotate the sleeve cam.

6. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein means is included to pennit the sleeve cam to move relative to the follower yet precludes rotation of the sleeve cam, the last named means including an idle track, the idle track formed in the periphery of the sleeve cam, the idle track lying within a plane of the longitudinal axis of the conduit means.

7. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein an intermediate track is provided, the intermediate track interconnecting the groove and the idle track, and means to prevent the follower from inadvertently being engaged in the groove.

8. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein the means preventing the follower from inadvertently engaging the groove including an indexingnotch, the indexing notch being in one position when the follower is in the idle track, a detent, the detent engaging the indexing notch when the indexing notch is in said one position.

9. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein a vacuum nonle is provided, the vacuum nozzle being sitioned below the horizontal Blane of the discs and space from a vertical plane extending etween the discs perpendicular to a line joining the axes of the discs, means providing a suction at the vacuum nozzle, the suction means including a receptacle whereby strips of material may be sewn without the necessity of manually deflecting the strands from the line of feed while loose strands separated from the material are drawn into the nozzle and collected in the receptacle.

10. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the conduit means includes a material feeding guide plate adjacent the outlet orifice.

11. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conduit means includes a material feeding guideplate adjacent the outlet orifice.

12. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the plate is shaped substantially as an inverted U.

13. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rotating means is adapted to rotate the conduit from the loading position to the operative position and means is included to actuate the means providing the stream of air upon the operative positioning of the conduit means.

14. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the actuating means includes a switch, the switch being engaged by the sleeve cam when the conduit means is in operative position. 

1. An attachment for use with a sewing machine adapted to sew together strips of material having a plurality of furlike strands, the sewing machine having a pair of feedings discs, the feeding discs lying in a horizontal plane, a sewing needle, means reciprocally moving the sewing needle along a horizontal axis, the strips of material being fed along a line of feed between the feeding discs and past the reciprocating needle, said attachment including conduit means, means forming an outlet orifice in the conduit means, means providing a stream of air through the conduit means, the stream of air passing through the outlet orifice, contacting the furlike strands of adjacent strips of material at the line of feed and forcing the strands away from the sewing needle, means journAlling the conduit means for rotation along a horizontal axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of the needle, the conduit means being operatively positioned such that the delivery orifice is disposed adjacent the line of feed of the material strips and forwardly of a vertical plane which includes the axis of the needle and means slectively rotating the conduit means from the operative position to a loading position wherein the outlet orifice is spaced from the line of feed, the rotating means including a sleeve cam positioned on the conduit means, the sleeve cam being slidable axially along the conduit means and means engaging the sleeve cam whereby the machine may be easily loaded yet the material strips may be seamed together without the necessity of manually deflecting the furlike strands from the line of feed.
 2. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein a follower is included, the follower engaging the sleeve and means maintaining the follower in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the conduit means.
 3. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein means is provided to prevent rotation of the sleeve cam relative to the conduit means.
 4. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein the means preventing rotation of the sleeve cam relative to the conduit includes a protuberance extending radially from the axis of the conduit and a cooperating channel formed within the sleeve cam and extending along an axis parallel to the conduit axis, the protuberance being seated within the channel whereby the sleeve cam may be moved axially along the conduit but when the sleeve cam is rotated, the channel engages the protuberance to cause corresponding rotation of the conduit.
 5. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein the sleeve cam includes a groove, the groove extending along the periphery of the sleeve cam and being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conduit, the follower engaging the groove, whereby lateral displacement of the sleeve cam with respect to the follower will rotate the sleeve cam.
 6. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein means is included to permit the sleeve cam to move relative to the follower yet precludes rotation of the sleeve cam, the last named means including an idle track, the idle track formed in the periphery of the sleeve cam, the idle track lying within a plane of the longitudinal axis of the conduit means.
 7. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein an intermediate track is provided, the intermediate track interconnecting the groove and the idle track, and means to prevent the follower from inadvertently being engaged in the groove.
 8. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein the means preventing the follower from inadvertently engaging the groove including an indexing notch, the indexing notch being in one position when the follower is in the idle track, a detent, the detent engaging the indexing notch when the indexing notch is in said one position.
 9. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein a vacuum nozzle is provided, the vacuum nozzle being positioned below the horizontal plane of the discs and spaced from a vertical plane extending between the discs perpendicular to a line joining the axes of the discs, means providing a suction at the vacuum nozzle, the suction means including a receptacle whereby strips of material may be sewn without the necessity of manually deflecting the strands from the line of feed while loose strands separated from the material are drawn into the nozzle and collected in the receptacle.
 10. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the conduit means includes a material feeding guide plate adjacent the outlet orifice.
 11. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conduit means includes a material feeding guide plate adjacent the outlet orifice.
 12. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the plate is shaped substantially as an inverted U.
 13. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rotating means is adapted to rotate the conduit from the loading position to the operative position and means is included to actuate the means providing the stream of air upon the operative positioning of the conduit means.
 14. An attachment constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the actuating means includes a switch, the switch being engaged by the sleeve cam when the conduit means is in operative position. 